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Hammond Castle Museum

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Hours:Hours Vary see below
Ages:Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:Indoor, Outdoor
Cost:$$ see below
Category:Museums
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hammond castle museum photoThe Hammond Castle Museum is a dynamic STEM museum offering guided and self guided tours, temporary exhibits, cultural events and educational programming.

Candlelight and spiritualism tours, concerts, movies and more take place throughout the year. Built in the late 1920s as the home and laboratory of inventor, John Hays Hammond, Jr, the museum’s architectural style is mixture of a medieval castle, a Gothic cathedral, and a Renaissance-era French village set amongst Roman ruins.

On permanent display are exhibits relating to Hammond's many patents, including his work with radio control, television, military, and nautical inventions.

Throughout our 2023 season guests can enjoy a completely updated Invention Room, showcasing exciting new perspectives on Hammond’s work as a scientist, inventor and engineer.

This season we will present a brand-new set of rotating exhibits including an interactive presentation that uses an AI-generated, animated, holographic projection of Hammond, who speaks to visitors about his scientific career which will be on display from May through the end of August!

The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic places and is not handicap accessible. Memberships are available.

Tours are offered seasonally. April, November and December: Open weekends and special hours. May through October: Open daily.

About John Hays Hammond

John Hays Hammond Jr., known as “The Father of Radio Control,” was one of America’s most prolific inventors and a protégé of Guglielmo Marconi, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell.

Built from 1926 through 1929, and incorporated as a museum in 1930, the Castle’s architectural style is a mix of a medieval castle, French chateau, and a Gothic cathedral.

It was custom built to encompass Hammond’s private residence, laboratory, and museum quality collection of architectural elements such as the facades of medieval shops and doorways from chateaus.

Also on display is Hammond’s extensive list of patents, his work with radio control, and his work on guided torpedoes for the military.

Hammond Castle Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

***Hammond Castle Museum is not wheelchair or stroller accessible***

HOURS↑ top

Tours are offered seasonally. April, November and December: Open weekends and special hours.
May through October: Open daily.


COST↑ top

Purchase Tickets. Tickets are: $20 adults, $15 Seniors, $10 for Kids 5 to 12. Free for children 4 and under but they also require a ticket.

WEBSITE↑ top

www.hammondcastle.org

LOCATION↑ top

80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930 map
Phone: (978) 283-7673

Directions

Take I-95 North out of Boston to Exit 45, then route 128 North to Exit 14. Turn right onto Route 133 to the very end of that highway, and with the ocean directly in front of you turn right onto Route 127. Approximately 3/4 of a mile from that intersection the road will begin to narrow. Look for a blue and white sign on your left for the castle, and turn onto Hesperus Avenue. The castle is just a few blocks down Hesperus Avenue on your left. Park in the lot off the street, and take the walkway and stairs down to the entrance.

REVIEWS BY STUDENTS↑ top

A mysterious castle, Grade 2 Student
It is really, really mysterious because it was made a long time ago. I highly recommend it because it was adventurous. It has lots of doors, and some mystery doors, and paths in the gardens, and stairs going down to see the ocean. And it has a private graveyard! Don't go on a Monday, because it's closed!
A hidden jewel, Grade 4 Student
Hammond Castle was great but wish that is was open Mondays. The outside of the castle is great with fantastic views. They have a quarter machine telescope and the view of the ocean is beautiful. I felt like I was a princess at a beautiful castle. The grounds are beautiful and there is also a private area for his headstone. I enjoyed walking the pathways through the elegant garden. I had lots of fun at Hammond Castle.

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